Trigger Point Dry Needling: Ease Your Pain and DiscomfortThe thought of lying on a table, getting poked by needles is not a pleasant one, but what if someone tells you it is actually helpful? Dry needling is gaining immense popularity amongst a number of athletes and others with chronic pain or injuries.
Its users swear on its capability to offer relief for mobility issues and intense muscle pain. If you are new to this and do not know much about this treatment, this article is perfect for you. Here you will learn the basic details of dry needling and how it can help you get some relief.
Dry Needling in the Woodlands & Houston has been used for years but only recently gained popularity as a drug-free way of treating musculoskeletal pain. Usually, it is used as a portion of a larger pain management plan, mainly consisting of stretching, exercising, massaging, and certain other techniques.
However, with the right implementation, it can play a significant role in pain relief and muscle recovery. Nevertheless, to make the right use of it, you first need to understand how it works.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
As mentioned earlier, this process pokes tiny needles in the affected area of your body. It uses thin needles and gets the name as the needles are dry, as in nothing is being injected into your body. These needles are inserted through the skin, touching the muscle tissue.
It is most commonly performed by acupuncturists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and even medical doctors who have received training of the same.
Triggering Relief
Muscles often develop knotted areas when overused or strained. These areas are known as myofascial trigger points that are not only uncomfortable but can also cause intense pain. This is mainly caused due to the energy crisis caused by overuse.
Since there is inappropriate or prolonged contraction of the muscle, the fibers often lack proper blood supply. Blood supply is important for the muscle to get enough oxygen and other necessary nutrients, which further allows it to function normally.
Without that, the muscle becomes stringent, and the tissues near the trigger point become more acidic. Along with that, the nerves near here are also sensitized, making the area sore and even painful. In such a situation, stimulating the point with needles can help draw normal blood supply back, regulating the tension.
In addition, pricking needles also order the human brain to release a hormone known as endorphins, which again help with the pain. First, the therapist palpates the affected area with their hands to locate the trigger points.
Once done, they insert the needle directly into it. They might sometimes also move the needle around a bit to instigate a twitch response. This reaction tells the therapist if their muscle is reacting.
The effect this treatment can have on patients varies. While some almost immediately feel it working, for others, it might take more than one session. However, one easy way of ensuring fast relief is by keeping the affected muscle loose. You can do this by continuously moving the joints within their new range of motion. You might also feel soreness for at least a day or two after the session.
Should You Get It?
If you are contemplating getting dry needling, it is best to consult the practitioner. They are not only experts but also have enough experience to tell you if it is the right decision for you. However, you must understand it is a part of the therapy and has to be combined with others. Rest assured, with the right steps, you, too, can relieve yourself of chronic pain.
This post has been sponsored by Fiber Computer
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